Last Updated: April 2026
The IPMAT (Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test) Quantitative Ability section is one of the two pillars of the exam and directly determines your admission chances at IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, and other top IPM programmes. In IPMAT 2026, the QA section comprised 40 questions (Short Answer + MCQ format) carrying 4 marks each for correct answers and a -1 penalty for wrong MCQ responses. Mastering arithmetic, algebra, and number theory is non-negotiable for a 90+ percentile score.
IPMAT QA Section — Exam Pattern at a Glance
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions (QA) | 40 (20 SA + 20 MCQ) |
| Marks per Correct Answer | +4 |
| Negative Marking (MCQ) | -1 per wrong answer |
| No Negative Marking | Short Answer (SA) questions |
| Time Allotted | 40 minutes (integrated exam: 120 min total) |
| Difficulty Level | Class 10–12 + some higher-level concepts |
| Calculator Allowed | No |
High-Priority Topics: Arithmetic
Arithmetic forms the backbone of IPMAT QA. Expect 12–15 questions spanning percentages, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, ratio and proportion, time-speed-distance, and work problems. The questions are deceptively simple but require fast, accurate calculation.
Key Arithmetic Concepts You Must Master
- Percentages and their applications: Successive percentage changes, percentage profit on cost/selling price, marked price vs selling price.
- Ratio and Proportion: Compound ratios, mean proportional, partnership problems.
- Time, Speed, Distance: Relative speed, trains, boats and streams, circular tracks.
- Time and Work: Pipes and cisterns, efficiency-based problems, work done in fractions of days.
- Simple and Compound Interest: Half-yearly compounding, finding principal/rate/time.
- Mixtures and Alligations: Rule of alligation for mixing two solutions or items of different prices.
Practice Questions — Arithmetic
Q1. A shopkeeper marks his goods 40% above cost price and offers a 20% discount. What is the profit percentage?
Solution: Let CP = 100. MP = 140. SP = 140 × 0.80 = 112. Profit = 12%. Answer: 12%
Q2. A train 300 m long crosses a platform 200 m long in 25 seconds. Find the speed of the train in km/h.
Solution: Total distance = 300 + 200 = 500 m. Speed = 500/25 = 20 m/s = 20 × 18/5 = 72 km/h
Q3. Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 12 hours and 18 hours respectively. If both pipes are opened together, in how many hours will the tank be filled?
Solution: Combined rate = 1/12 + 1/18 = 3/36 + 2/36 = 5/36. Time = 36/5 = 7.2 hours
High-Priority Topics: Algebra
Algebra accounts for 10–12 questions in most IPMAT papers. Topics include linear equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, progressions (AP/GP), functions, and logarithms. The College Board-style difficulty means you need to understand concepts deeply, not just apply formulas.
Key Algebra Concepts
- Linear Equations in 2–3 variables — substitution, elimination, cross-multiplication.
- Quadratic Equations: Discriminant, sum/product of roots, forming equations from roots.
- Arithmetic Progressions: nth term, sum of n terms, finding missing terms.
- Geometric Progressions: Common ratio, infinite GP sum, AM-GM inequality.
- Logarithms: Change of base, log laws (product, quotient, power rules).
- Inequalities: Modulus inequalities, |x – a| < b type problems.
- Functions: Domain and range, composite functions, basic understanding.
Practice Questions — Algebra
Q4. If the roots of x² – 5x + k = 0 are equal, find k.
Solution: For equal roots, discriminant = 0. D = 25 – 4k = 0. k = 25/4 = 6.25
Q5. The 10th term of an AP is 35 and the 20th term is 75. Find the first term.
Solution: a + 9d = 35, a + 19d = 75. Subtracting: 10d = 40, d = 4. a = 35 – 36 = –1
Q6. Find the sum to infinity of the GP: 6, 2, 2/3, …
Solution: a = 6, r = 1/3. S∞ = a/(1–r) = 6/(2/3) = 9
High-Priority Topics: Number Theory
Number theory questions in IPMAT tend to test LCM/HCF, divisibility rules, remainders, prime factorisation, unit digits, and number of factors. Though typically 6–8 questions, they are often the differentiator between good and great scores because most students skip this area.
Key Number Theory Concepts
- Divisibility Rules: For 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 — must be on fingertips.
- LCM and HCF: Product of two numbers = LCM × HCF (only for two numbers).
- Remainder Theorems: Cyclicity of remainders, Fermat’s little theorem basics.
- Prime Factorisation: Number of factors = product of (exponent + 1) for each prime.
- Unit Digits: Cyclicity of unit digits for powers (1,2,3,…,9).
- Perfect Squares and Cubes: Recognising them quickly up to 30².
Practice Questions — Number Theory
Q7. What is the unit digit of 7⁹⁵?
Solution: Cyclicity of 7 is 4: 7,9,3,1,7,9,3,1… 95 = 4×23 + 3. 3rd in cycle = 3
Q8. Find the number of factors of 360.
Solution: 360 = 2³ × 3² × 5¹. Number of factors = (3+1)(2+1)(1+1) = 24
Q9. The LCM of two numbers is 72 and their HCF is 6. If one number is 24, find the other.
Solution: Other number = LCM × HCF / first number = 72 × 6 / 24 = 18
IPMAT QA Strategy: How to Score 130+ Out of 160
- Attempt SA questions first: No negative marking means every attempt counts. Never leave SA questions blank.
- Speed over perfection in arithmetic: Practice mental math — squares up to 30, cubes up to 15, multiplication tables up to 20.
- Identify your strong zone: If algebra is your strength, lock those marks first, then pick arithmetic, and attempt number theory selectively.
- Skip and return: Don’t spend more than 90 seconds on any single question. Mark and move on.
- In MCQs, eliminate first: Even eliminating 2 options gives you a 50% shot — worth taking on moderate-confidence answers.
- Weekly mock tests: IPMAT 2027 aspirants should attempt at least 2 full mocks per week from November 2026 onwards and do detailed error analysis.
Important Formulas Quick Reference
| Topic | Formula |
|---|---|
| Compound Interest | A = P(1 + r/100)ⁿ |
| Sum of AP | Sn = n/2 [2a + (n-1)d] |
| Sum of GP (finite) | Sn = a(rⁿ – 1)/(r – 1) |
| Sum of GP (infinite, |r|<1) | S = a/(1–r) |
| Quadratic roots | x = [–b ± √(b²–4ac)] / 2a |
| Speed | Distance / Time |
| Relative Speed (same dir) | |v₁ – v₂| |
| Number of factors | (e₁+1)(e₂+1)…(eₙ+1) |
Recommended Study Plan for IPMAT QA 2027
- Phase 1 (Now – July 2026): Complete NCERT Maths Class 9–10 for arithmetic fundamentals. Build calculation speed.
- Phase 2 (Aug – Oct 2026): Cover Class 11–12 algebra — quadratics, sequences, logarithms. Start topic-wise IPMAT PYQs.
- Phase 3 (Nov 2026 – Feb 2027): Full mocks + sectional tests. Focus on weak areas identified from mock analysis.
- Phase 4 (Mar – May 2027): Revision, speed drills, last 5 years IPMAT papers under timed conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weightage of Quantitative Ability in IPMAT 2027?
In IPMAT (IIM Indore), QA carries 40 questions out of 100 total questions — making it 40% of the paper by question count. With 4 marks per question, QA accounts for 160 out of 400 total marks. It is equal in weight to Verbal Ability (40 questions) with an additional 20 Short Answer questions in QA that have no negative marking.
Which topics are most important for IPMAT Quantitative Ability?
The most frequently tested topics in IPMAT QA are: Arithmetic (percentages, profit-loss, TSD, time-work — 30–35% of questions), Algebra (linear and quadratic equations, AP/GP, logarithms — 25–30%), Number Theory (divisibility, LCM/HCF, remainders — 15–20%), and Geometry/Mensuration (10–15%). Focus on arithmetic and algebra first as they give the highest return on effort.
Is Class 12 Maths enough for IPMAT QA?
Class 12 Maths covers most of IPMAT QA syllabus — sequences, logarithms, quadratics, and basic probability. However, some arithmetic topics (mixtures, compound interest applications, work problems) are better covered in Class 9–10 books. Additionally, CAT-level short tricks for speed calculation are essential. Supplement NCERT with dedicated IPMAT practice books or coaching material.
What is a good score in IPMAT QA to clear the cutoff?
For IIM Indore IPMAT 2026, the overall cutoff for General category was approximately 100–110 out of 400. A sectional score of 70–80 out of 160 in QA (about 18–20 correct in SA + MCQ combined) is considered safe for General category candidates. Top 100 rank holders typically score 120+ in QA alone. Aim for 80+ in QA to be comfortably within the shortlist zone.
[cg_quiz]